St Bartholomew's Catholic Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104815 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Judith Harris Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since 1991. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Fremington in North Devon. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local groups and takes children to the local parks, to the beach and to local facilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any onetime and is currently minding four children under five all day, and one child over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s good health is clearly well supported by the childminder’s effective daily hygiene routines. The childminder ensures that appropriate health and hygiene guidelines are followed throughout the day. Children wash their hands before eating and after toileting. The childminder gives the children wipes after eating to clean their hands and uses wipes if the children are on outings. The childminder uses appropriate good hygiene routines when changing children's nappies. The toilet is on the ground floor and older can use it independently with gentle reminders to wash their hands. The childminder encourages the children to use good practise for preventing the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily outdoor activities in the garden where they have large and small pieces of equipment for encouraging them to experiment with movement. Children have regular outings to the local park and the beach where they can exercise. Children have rest and sleep times within the daily routine. Children's own routines are very clearly met and effectively agreed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy balanced meals, drinks and snacks through the effective partnership between parents and childminder. The childminder is aware of any dietary restrictions children have. Children have drinks available while they play and can help themselves to these. Parents provide all meals and snacks for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a clean, very well organised home where they can move around safely and have areas for different types of play. Children play in the large sitting/dining room and conservatory. Children have a very large amount of clear floor space for activities. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments and continues to take steps to minimise any risks. The childminder uses a suitable range of safety and fire safety equipment. Children are fully supervised at all times and they only have access to the ground floor where there is safe play space. Direct access to the garden ensures children can play outside safely with constant supervision. Children are kept safe on outings the youngest children travel in buggies older children hold hands when walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have safe access to a good range of toys and equipment that are suitable for their ages. The childminder constantly monitors the children's choice of toys to ensure that they are suitable for their age and ability. Children are gently encouraged to think about how they use the toys and equipment for safety. The toys and equipment seen are all clean and well maintained and stored so as to be safe for children to choose freely from.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected because the childminder is familiar with the paperwork and procedures for recording and reporting child protection issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and at home with the childminder; they are confident and move freely around making choices about what activities they want to take part in. Children play with the train set they play well together choosing which trains they want and talking about the colours of the trains. Children have a good range of well planned activities and experiences that allow them to explore and investigate and to be creative. Children have access to role play toys and equipment and creative art and craft equipment and resources. The childminder interacts enthusiastically with the children. Both the children and the childminder are animated at play and clearly enjoy the interesting activities. Children count with confidence and talk about nature and how the colours of the leaves are changing. The childminder uses a very good range of language and makes good use of all naturally occurring situations to extend and challenge

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children. She talks about what the children are doing while they play to help extend their language. The childminder organises the day to allow times for different types of play; times for out door activities and quiet play and rest times. Children are taken on outings to the local park, to local groups and to the beach. The childminder takes good amount of information about children from parents she speaks to parents daily to keep her information up to date. The childminder clearly knows the children well she works closely with parents to ensure children's needs are consistently met. The childminder keeps daily records of children's activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have play equipment and resources that help them gain an understanding of the wider world. Children eat fruit from different countries and look at the globe to see where the different countries are. The childminder takes information from parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are clearly met. The regular outings help children to learn about their own community. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is confident about being able to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and the childminder supports positive behaviour by keeping children busy with activities. Children are playing with the train set and the childminder talks to them about sharing and taking turns. The childminder supports the children to make choices and develop their independence by having free choice of toys and activities. Children are comfortable and confident in the childminder's care. The effective behaviour management clearly helps the children to develop good skills for self-control.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents are good and the childminder works to build good professional relationships with parents. Children's individual needs are clearly very well met through the childminder’s partnership with parents. She talks with parents everyday to share information about the children and shares daily written reports with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play in well organised play space in which they are comfortable and safe. Children are able to move around safely and they move confidently from room to room; they know where the toys and can help themselves to drinks. Children are clearly very well supported by the

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 good levels of supervision. The childminder organises the day to allow times for different types of play, times for out door activities and for quiet play and rest times.

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Organisation

Children's records and a daily register are in place and up to date. There are medication and accident records and contracts for all children and all records are kept in a confidential manner. One set of records does not have all permissions signed. The childminder talks to parents about her service and has daily discussions with parents. ensure she continues to meet children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was recommended to complete a suitable first aid course and fit smoke alarms on all floors. The childminder now holds a current first aid certificate and has fitted smoke alarms on all floors.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints records may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all permissions are signed by parents on contracts

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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